Herrin Family Rocks

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Wow! Has it been over a month since I posted? I can't even believe it! Time flies and when you are busy, it flies faster! I have not been able to do much except draw a little at night. I just keep hoping that life will give me a break and slow down a bit. Now the holidays are approaching and I am sure things will just get worse. Oh well, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Here are some of my recent drawings"
This is an entry in my art journal. I don't do alot of these, but I really enjoy them.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Friday, September 28, 2012

I thought that I was an experienced crocheter, but I am beginning to wonder! This is the hardest pattern to read and understand! I have pulled this first bootie out enough times to have made 3 pair! I have to keep asking the author questions, because I don't understand how she has written these instructions. I almost have the first one finished, and I feel that once I do this one, the second one will be a breeze!
I am looking forward to the dare and the challenge this week, since I haven't been drawing as much. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Friday!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

It has been a crazy few days. I did not get the dare or the challenge done this week and I still haven't done the challenge from last week. I think I am going to start fresh next week and try to keep up. My life, and Randy's, has taken such a different turn since my Mom came to live with us. It is taking a lot more adjustment than I thought it would. She is really good physically, but not mentally, and she requires more attention than I ever dreamed that she would. Working full time and taking her to daycare every day takes planning and discipline. Meal planning, chores, laundry, errands, and I can go on, have all changed drastically. Coming home and eating popcorn for dinner and doing nothing, just doesn't fly anymore. In addition, she seems to cling to us when we are home and needs alot of attention. There are so many things that she either can't do, or I am afraid for her to do, so I do them for her. It is not a bad situation, just different. I have not learned how to get everything done yet, and how to adjust myself to her schedule, but I am working on it.
Til next time~~~

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I am a little behind with my entries, but it has been a crazy couple of weeks and I am running around like I am in a whirlwind! My Dare is almost done and I hope to have it posted tonight. Haven't started the challenge, but hope to do that tonight. I have so many projects going on, and now I have stumbled onto tea bag folding. It is taking all I have not to give that a whirl, but I am trying to wait until I have a little more time.
In addition, a girl at my work is pregnant with her second child, another girl and she has asked me to crochet a pair of booties that she saw and loves. I just bought the pattern on Ravelry and need to search my stash for yarn. Not sure that I have any that will work, so I may have to make a run to the knit shop tomorrow. My Mom tells me all the time that I try to do too much and she is probably right, but hey, life is short and mine is getting measurably shorter, so I have to pack in all that I can. My small group at church meets on Tuesday night and last night we discussed a service project that we are doing in 2 weeks. I have to do some preparation for that in the next few days, so I have a pretty full plate.
Is everyone else just like me???? Probably!

Monday, September 10, 2012

We all know that I am OCD, and I have been driving myself crazy trying to find a way to organize my tangles. I have tried notebooks, putting them on my Nook, drawing them in a sketchbook, and on and on. I think I might have hit upon an idea that will work for me. I also have a "Carry everything with you" mentality, so I always want to have the things that I think I might need with me at all times. Can you imagine what kind of purse that takes?? (Speaking of purses, I have been trying for years to find the perfect one, and have failed miserably). So, I could never find a good solution to having my tangles, sketchbook, pens, pencil, etc., at my reach at any given time. But, I had this idea to make the tangles small enough to carry, but large enough that I could actually draw them.
I saw a blog post on Tanglebucket, Sandy Hunter's blog that really caught my interest. Click the link to take a look at her post. Sandy does hers on 2.5 in cards that she punches out with a paper punch and then stores them in a notebook. She uses coin collecting plastic sleeves. I think that her whole system is simply genius. I wanted to do something similar, but still be able to carry it around with me in my bag. So here is my system.
I use index cards also, but I cut them in half and each one of them holds one tangle with the name of tangle and the author. I have started with only the tangles that I have learned to do. My plan is to add a tangle as I learn to draw them. The cards are the perfect size for me. I keep them in alphabetical order by Tangle name. I have this small bag that I bought for my knitting supplies. It is small enough to fit in my bag, but has tons of space and pockets and velcro to keep it all together. It is the greatest little bag and I have all my small knitting tools, stitch markers, post it notes, etc., in it. I bought another one, but never needed it in my knitting. So, this is where I am keeping my tangles. They fit perfectly in one of the mesh zipper pockets. This bag also holds my pens and pencils. My sketchbook fits in my purse alone. I love this system! I keep extra cards in one pocket so that if I get a chance to draw a new tangle for my collection, it is already in my bag. My tangles are with me and I can draw wherever I am and whatever I am doing.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

I loved doing this dare! It was fun! I am still hesitant to try color in my tangles because I just don't feel confident using them. I wanted to add some color to this one, but decided to leave it black and white. The tangle I used is Chard. It is one of my favorites.

Thank you for all the wonderful comments last week! I really love and appreciate them!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

I love weekends! Especially long weekends. I have all these ideas of things I want to do, but I rarely do any of them. It seems that since my Mom came to live with us,I am overwhelmed most of the time. My house looks like a hurricane hit it, and I have to do so many things in regard to her health, medical bills, day care, etc., etc., etc. But, all I want to do is draw and paint and look at tangles. I am so ashamed of how lazy and selfish I have become in my old age. I think that part of the problem is that since I discovered Zentangle, I have just realized that I might have just a smidgen of art talent. Isn't it odd that I have lived all these years and never even imagined that I could do any kind of art? My boys are all great artists, drawing, painting, but I could never do anything. Or so I thought. I still can't draw and don't think I will ever be able to, but I can do alot that I never realized that I could. That makes me so HAPPY!. So, hopefully, I will be able to get some drawing done this weekend. I try and practice my lettering everyday in some form, but it never looks as good to me as all of the wonderful journalers I see on the web. I am a very simple person and love simple things, so any amount of art that I can accomplish is so great to me.
There are several things that I would love to figure out. So, to all my friends in blogland, suggestions would be so appreciated!
Here is my list of "How can I make this work?"
I want to find a way to have all the tangle patterns organized in one place so that I can carry them with me all the time. I want to be able to draw anytime, anywhere.
I need a way to be sure that I have the right pen and paper in my purse, should I get a chance to draw (especially at Doctor visits).
What is the best way to organize my tangles, the ones I have drawn? I have tiles, ATC's, large prints, small prints, all kinds of sizes. How can I store them? A notebook?
I saw a video on YouTube about how to make a "Couch Box". I made it and I like the idea, but I would like to be better organized, since my art time is so precious. I don't want to waste it looking for stuff.
Does everyone have numerous journals going on all at the same time? I do. I have a practice journal, a prayer journal, 2 smash books, an art journal, a lettering journal, and several that are not designated, but I still draw in them. Are you all doing that too?
Ok, I think I have rattled on enough for one Saturday morning.
Til next time!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Well, I can't believe that I am posting 2 days in a row! It is because I stayed home today to take my Mom to the doctor. Doctors are such a waste of time! They never really tell you anything and if they don't write a script for meds, you have pretty much wasted your time and money. Ok, I am getting off my soapbox now!
I finished a couple of tangles that I wanted to post, and I received my prize package from Andrea over at Indigo Blue. I love everything that she sent me. Take a look.

She sent me the small purse that I won, but in addition, she sent me a beautiful bookmark(I want to use it in my Bible), a great keychain and a fat quarter. You really have to see her items in person to appreciate the quality and the beautiful workmanship. If you are looking for a great, personal gift, go over to her blog and click on the link to her Etsy shop. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Ok, now the tangles. The first one is just an abstract that I sketched a week or so ago, and I just kept adding stuff. I love it though, what do you think?

The second one is called "Fabulous Fish" He was originally drawn by my friend, Sheila(bostinstuff). You can see hers here. Since I am not an artist and can't draw very well, mine pales in comparison to hers, but let me tell you, that he was so much fun to draw. This is the first time that I have ever used any color in my tangles, and I was not confident in my color choices, but he still looks pretty good.
And here he is:

I have really taken a liking for fish for some reason, and I have been looking all over to see what I could find. I have always loved pigs and bunnies and I have them everywhere. I think I might try to draw one of them, if I find a drawing that I like and feel comfortable doing. That's it for today, hope to be back soon!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The Diva is back from her trip! From the pictures and her post, she had a wonderful time. Though we missed her, we are all happy that she enjoyed her trip. This week's challenge is to close our eyes and draw a string. This is my try at it. I did not take a pic of the string before I tangled it, but I will tell you that I drew off the tile more than once!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

I just found out that my sweet DIL, Liz, is doing the Zendala Challenge over at the Bright Owl. I am going to join her starting this week. I am also going to get her started on The Diva's Weekly Challenge. I have suddenly found a fascination with fish. I have seen several drawings, Zentangle and otherwise, that I really liked. I have sketched a couple of them (remember that I can't draw) and I am going to tangle them. Here is my Zendala Dare #20:

I also finished a fish this week. I drew him from one I found online and I like him!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I submitted my tangle to Linda Farmer and I am waiting to hear if it is a new tangle and if it will be accepted. I am so excited! I have finished a couple of projects that I wanted to post. I really wish that I could post everyday, but I just have so much on my plate. I will one of these days, though.
Here are some pics of my latest projects:

The first tangle is one that I saw on Pinterest. I loved it so much I drew it and tangled it the way I liked it. The second one is 2 complete pages of my moleskin journal. I wanted to do something to honor Randy, he is such a wonderful husband.

This one is just a heart that I drew. I really love hearts and I draw them in my tangles a lot. I have really been trying to learn new tangles, but I am taking Joanne Sharpe's "Letter Love 101" lettering class and I am just obsessed with letters. I dabbled in calligraphy for a number of years back in the day, and I am thinking I might give it another try.
And finally, the Diva did not give us a challenge this week, but she will be back on Monday, I am sure and I can't wait.
Love you all!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

In my last post I said that I would be back tomorrow with my first creation. Well, I did create it that night, but I am just now getting to blog. Please allow me to introduce my first tangle.......I call it Magic Beans.

I am going to submit it to Linda Farmer and hope that it will be accepted. If so, it will be so exciting!
Now, I have joined The Diva's Challenge. This week's challenge is #83, but #1 for me, since it is my first entry. She challenged us to make a tangle from only 2 patterns, Mooka and Assunta. I have never tried to draw either one of them and since this is my first try, it is not my best work. Take a look.

I just hope that I can improve as I go along, but it is so much fun!
And last, but certainly not least, I won a contest on my good friend Andrea's website! I never win anything, and my prize is so wonderful!
Andrea is Indigo Blue and she is probably the best textile artist I have seen in a long time. I won a small purse/bag that I will probably use for my earbuds. It is so cute and it also comes with a fat quarter. Thank you Andrea!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

I have been looking at tangles from various artists and I think it is time for me to branch out and start creating some of my own tangles. I have only used 3.5 x 3.5 and various drawing pages, as well as a few Zendalas. But, hey, I can do this, so tonight I am creating my own tangles.....
Now, what should I call them??? Lynntangles? TangleLynn? Oooohhhh, I have to think of something really catchy....
Be back tomorrow with my first creation!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Things are looking up! Finally got my Mom's apartment empty, clean and keys turned in. What a relief! One woman should not be allowed to have that much stuff in a one bedroom apartment! It is all in storage now, except what she needs here. That was a big job and let me tell you that my husband is a saint! He worked relentlessly getting that stuff packed, loaded and unloaded at storage. Mom is still in rehab, and I am not certain when she will be coming home, but all is done!
I have been working on several projects and as usual, I can't keep up with all of them, art journals, Zentangle, knitting, and so forth. The thing is that I am always busy and I like that. I have about 10 or 12 sketchbooks now, some with projects in them and some still empty. My favorite is the Moleskin. There is just nothing like it, anywhere. The pages are so smooth and yummy! I have also been trying a composition book art journal and boy have I made some messes! I have been gluing stuff to the pages and then doing art journaling on top. The only one that I haven't liked is the one I put aluminum foil on. I could never get it a color that I liked and then the art pieces I used didn't suit me, but all the other pages have been fun and I really like them. It is amazing what you can glue into a book! Practically anything! I have used lots of stuff that would normally go in the trash.....recycling if you will. Each time I have something to throw away, I stop and look at it and say "Could I use that in my art journal?" Alot of times the answer is YES!
If you have not done art journaling, I strongly recommend it. It is "Play" for grown ups. They are your journals, so you can put anything in them that you want to....Fun!
Til next time!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Here it is, July 29. Where did this month go? I can't seem to keep up these days with all that is going on. My Mom is back in rehab and we have spent the month of July first trying to adjust to having her here with us and then back in the hospital and then to rehab. I keep hoping that I will find time to post regularly, but that never seems to happen.
All things considered, I did accomplish a few things this month. I am taking a lettering class with Joanne Sharpe online and doing it at my pace. It is a wonderful class and I just love it. I am learning so much about lettering, which is my most favorite art or craft, if you will. I love letters, fonts, numbers, etc., and I am really learning a lot in this class.
Here are a couple of my practice pieces:

I have also been learning to do art journals. Mine are not very creative at this point, but I am hoping as I learn more, they will improve. I am doing one in a composition book (yes, the plain old black and white ones) that has some good pages and some not so good ones. I consider this one a training journal, because I am learning techniques for painting and other cool ways to do an art journal.
Here is one photo from my comp journal:

And, like most people, I have also dabbled in the SMASH journals. I like them alot, but I think they have much room for improvement. I did see a blog post the other day where an artist made her own smash journal from only materials she had on hand and then wire bound it herself. It was very cool and I like it alot.
Here is a page from my Smash Journal:

I do most of my art at night after everyone is asleep. Between work and taking care of my Mom, I don't have any time otherwise. It relaxes me and helps with all the stress. Keep crafting!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Today I am joining the Joy Journal Project. I feel that this will help me get back on track from all that has been going on in my life. This project is to help inspire you, remind you of the good things in your life and help relocate your creativity. If anyone ever needed this, it is me.
Here are a few of my recent projects:
This is the tangle that I just finished:

This is a tangle that I finished last week:

Lots going on this next week. My Mom will be home on Wednesday, and we will start trying to acclimate her to our house.
It is the July 4th holiday too, and I am looking forward to a few days off.
Til next time....

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Well, I am going to try and do a quick update. It seems that no matter how hard I try, I can't post on regular basis. My Mom is still in the rehab hospital, being discharged on July 4. She will be living with Randy and me and I am nervous. The experience with this rehab hospital has been a real chore, to say the least. Dealing with these people who are only interested in MONEY can really wear you down. I have had to fight for everything, literally. I am tired and frustrated, but I am beginning to see a small light at the end of the tunnel, so I am hopeful.
I am still working on my art journal and I hope to get some photos posted today or tomorrow. I am also tangling as often as I can. I am really loving it and I will have to say that it has helped me through this hard time more than once.
I have decided to join the The Diva's Weekly Challenge, even though I am starting in the middle. There is a link on my sidebar if you want to take a look. I am going to start a new sketchbook for this and dedicate it to this project. I will be posting pages in the near future.
In the meantime, I will keep trying to post on a regular basis, it is so good for me and I enjoy reading the blogs that I love.
Take care~~~

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Today has been a fairly nice day. Even if I did have to stay at the ER with my Mom until 5:00 am and didn't get very much sleep. Her stroke has really been hard. This one was much worse than the other and she is not recovering as well as I had hoped. I pray everyday that God will help her to recover and be able to live with Randy and me, but I am not sure that will ever happen.
I have done some additional art projects as I have been sitting in the hospital and waiting for various things. I have a serious case of bronchitis and a sinus infection right now, and I have not been feeling my best, but I have tried to get in a few things.
Here is the latest entry in my art journal:
This is Brian and me riding go karts on his birthday. He turned 7 on May 5, and we had such a great day at his birthday party.
This one is a photo that Anna's Mom took of her, and I managed to transfer it to my journal:
Poppy went over to visit Colin today. I did not feel well enough to go, but he got a couple of really good pics that I am going to put in my journal, time permitting. I really like this one:
Here are few more pages in my journal:

Thursday, May 31, 2012

I have always loved art. Even as a child, I loved drawing, coloring in coloring books, music, books, and all the wonderful things that are considered art. I have never had any artistic talent, unfortunately, and I always wondered why I loved it so much. Over the years, I have tried all forms of art. I have to say that my favorite is music. I love the classics, my favorite being Beethoven's Sonata #14, or Moonlight Sonata, as it is commonly known. I sang in glee club at school, choir at church and always wanted to be a musician. As life would have it, that was not my path. Our lives are so complex and the paths that we take are, at times, odd. Sometimes I wonder how I arrived at the place that I am today. But, I think that things happen for a reason and God always has a plan.
I taught myself to crochet at about 16 and then later on, learned cross stitch, embroidery, rug hooking, macrame (remember macrame plant hangers?) and a bit of knitting. I learned all these from a dear and wonderful friend that I shall always love and cherish. Her name is Dixie and she is the most talented person I have ever met. She can do anything. For a number of years, I was so busy raising children, working and living my life, that I did not have the time or patience for art and completely gave up all my hobbies other than gardening.
A few years ago, I learned to knit for real and started dabbling in watercolors. I realized very quickly that I am not a painter nor am I an artist of any kind. I am much better the with the needle arts....quilting, embroidery, cross stitching, but one thing has always remained the same....and that is my love of letters and numbers. Fonts, puzzles, calligraphy, lettering, writing. All those things are so dear to me, so I decided to go in a little different direction. I started doing Artist Trading Cards and joined some ladies at my work in a card club. We meet every 2 weeks and make a variety of greeting cards. I really enjoy this and seem to be fairly good at it. In my search for ideas and creativity for my ATC's and greeting cards, I literally stumbled onto something called Zentangle. At first, as I researched it, I never thought I would ever be able to do such beautiful artwork, but I discovered that I can!!! My life has changed forever. I now carry a sketchbook with me all the time. I am constantly looking for new ways to do my art, which now consists of Zentangle, ATC's and greeting cards. I am so happy and thrilled that I have found an art medium that I love and can actually do!
My mother has been ill off and on since last summer and recently had a stroke that was very severe. She is still in rehab and we are thinking that she may never be able to live alone again, or even with me. The past few weeks have been so stressful for Randy and me and I have spent so many hours sitting in the hospital with her and trying to help her understand what has happened to her. My art has been my life saver. When she is sleeping, I sit in the quiet and tangle, or work on ATC's and I truly think that this has helped me to get through each day. The future is so uncertain and each day, I wonder what is going to happen. I thank God every day for allowing me to have this art....sometimes things do happen for a reason.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

I ordered a book on Zentangle last night. I just could not resist. It seems that Zentangle is not just idle doodling, as I first thought. I am sure that if you wanted to do idle doodling, that would be ok, but real Zentangle has PATTERNS! Yes, my friends, I said PATTERNS! This makes it even more intriguing to me. It just seems to be so soothing and easy to do. Especially for someone like me who can't draw. I always wanted to draw and as a kid I sketched a little, but I just don't have that talent. (Still trying to figure out if I have a talent, and if so, what it is.)
So, I ordered a book from Amazon called "Zentangle Basics". It is the starting point for all of us wannabe tanglers and I hope to progress on the Zentagle 2, 3 and so on. I have been doing some sketches and I am just fascinated by the symmetries of this art. I will try and post some pages from my sketchbook tomorrow. My old camera is in my son's camera bag. We bought a new one, but it is so fancy, I don't even know how to use it. So, as soon as I get a camera, I will post the pics.
Til next time!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

I have not been posting due to family obligations. I have had many things going on with my Mom, my dog is ill and I have had a few other things.
But, I am back now, I hope! I have been doing Artist Trading Cards and I am so hooked on them. I just recently started doing Zentangle, which is a meditative form of art. I have been doing ATC's with Zentangle, but it is not designed just for ATC's. If you have not heard of it, I strongly recommend that you google it. If you love doodling or drawing, you will be hooked! I know that I am! Here is an example of my Zentangle:

And here are a couple of my ATC's:

I am really having a blast with these, and I am studying Zentangle. I have also been doing a bit of embroidery and making cards. The card club meets every two weeks and we have been making some beautiful cards.
I have a couple of really cute felt projects that I am going to start soon. I recently made a pincushion from a tuna can. I like it and it is so cute, but I think I would like it better if it was smaller. I have more pics to post, but I left my camera in my son's camera bag this past weekend, so I have to wait until I get it back.
On to more adventures!

THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ON MARCH 31, 2012.
Today is the last day of Malabrigo March and I did not accomplish as much as I had hoped. I finished Camp Out Fingerless Mitts and Mira's Cowl, but did not complete Zuzu's Petals or even cast on the other 2 projects. I had fun though and I really loved seeing everyone else's finished items. I am tinkering in other things right now too, have a sick dog and am on baby watch for our 6th grandchild, who is due today, so I have been pretty busy.
We have a Card Club at work and we have been meeting every 2 weeks to make cards. We have made some really nice cards and I am enjoying that very much. There are some talented ladies at my office and I am learning a lot from them.
We also had a short Stampin Up party at lunch last week. Pat Bruce, the demonstrator was super nice and helped make a couple of really pretty cards. She has a workshop once a month on Saturday, and I am going to attend her next one. I have been making cards for a long time, but none of mine have ever turned out as well as these were, so I am excited.
I am starting to do Artist Trading Cards and I am really enjoying them...

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Malabrigo March is well underway and I am struggling to finish my projects. I finished Camp Out Fingerless Mitts and I am now working on ZuZu's Petals and Mira's Cowl. I have also committed to Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf and Nathair's Mitts. Time is passing quickly and I am afraid I may not finish. But, this is a fun time and I am enjoying it so much! I love the challenge!
Peace and Love~~

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Well, things did not turn out as planned. Everyone in the family is sick I think, so we had no house full of grandchildren this weekend, and things have been relatively quiet. We had no family dinner and only Mom and I went to the baby shower from our family. Things are looking better though. It seems that most everyone is well and we are shooting for another family dinner tomorrow. It will be the first time that Mom and some of the kids have seen Lucas and 4 weeks since Brian and Anna have been to visit. I am chomping at the bit to see them, and Lucas. I have so many projects in my head and I just don't know how to organize them all. Here is my list:
1. Traveling Woman Shawl
2. Snuggle Blanket for Colin
3. Birthday Cards for Class Next Week
4. Bookmark for my Swap Partner
5. Learning more embroidery stitches
6. Sewing a purse organizer
7. Sewing a purse for Anna
8. Birthday gift for my BD Swap Partner
9. Sweet Baby Socks for Lucas and Colin
10. Bag for Valentine Swap at Work
11. Valentines for my Fam
12. Planning Anna's Birthday Party
Whew, what a list. I will accomplish most of it though. I finished Anna's Girlie Scarf and I can't wait to give it to her tomorrow.

Snuggle Blanket for Colin is coming along nicely.

The Traveling Woman shawl is on hold for just a bit until I finish some other things.

I am thinking about Christmas gifts, believe it or not. I would so love to make stockings for all the grandchildren this year and also make a gift for all the kids. That would be the ultimate Christmas for me. Giving all handmade gifts makes the holiday so special. I am going to shoot for it. If I start planning now, and gather materials, patterns, etc., I might just be able to pull it off.
Ok, I am off to update the calendar, take my Bernina for service and try to eliminate a little dust from my house.
Love and Peace~~~